The district of “La Petite France” is the classic image that we have of Strasbourg: half-timbered houses, small canals (another “Little Venice”), cobblestone streets and a real charm.

It is a place with a very rich and diverse history. In the Middle Ages, it was where the tanneries were located with their foul odours. In the 16th century, a hospital was built there to treat people suffering from the “small pox”, a highly contagious disease. Today it is a tourist area with restaurants, souvenir shops and pedestrian streets. We were unable to determine if there were still people linving there.

Une vue de la terasse panoramique du barrage Vauban. Après un avant-midi très ensoleillé, les nuages sont arrivés mais encore avec un peu de soleil ce qui donne cette couleur noire aux nuages. Des conditions d’éclairage parfaite pour nous! / A view from the panoramic terrace of the Vauban dam. After a sunny morning, the clouds came in but with still a little sun giving these black clouds. The perfect lighting conditions for us!Ce qui fait le charme de l’endroit, ce sont les nombreuses maisons à colombages qui se réfletent joliment dans la rivière Ill. / The charm of the place is provided by the many half-timbered houses which are reflected beautifully in the Ill river.La plupart de ces belles maisons centenaires ont été converties en hôtels ou restaurants. / Most of these beautiful old houses have been converted into hotels or restaurants.Strasbourg est une ville où il faut porter beaucoup attention aux détails, comme ici avec la jolie statue du fantassin. / Strasbourg is a city where you have to pay much attention to detail, like here with the beautiful statue of an infantryman.La Petite France est fréquentée non seulement pas les touristes mais aussi par les Strasbourgeois. C’est un endroit où il fait bon se balader. / La Petite France is frequented not only by tourists but also by people from Strasbourg. It is a good place for a stroll.L’écriture gothique nous rappelle que nous sommes à quelques kilomètres seulement de l’Allemagne. / Gothic writing reminds us that we are only a few kilometres from Germany.

Because it is new & different maybe…I think the French have this love-hate relationship with the Americans. They are fascinated by Americans though they think they are barbarians!!! There is nothing to understand!